World of Butterflies
Today is the on-the-spot (OTS) of our office's camera club at
World of Butterflies in Marikina City.
World of Butterflies
Champagnat corner Ordonez Streets
Bgy. Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Tel. No. 941-4747
Woke really early as I have to be at the venue early. Borrowed my brother's driver,
Manong. We took the C5 towards Marikina, passed by the Riverbanks, turned left at J.P. Rizal (at the foot of the bridge), turned right at Concepcion (Jollibee is at the corner of the street), turned right upon seeing Meralco, turned left as soon as the road dipped down--World of Butterflies is at the corner of said street.
If you would commute, board a Marikina-bound FX on Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, drop of at Meralco then hire a tricyle to bring you to the World of Butterflies.
I was early. But still, I was second to arrive. The early bird was not able to read the e-mail stating the change of meeting time. Started shooting.
Since the president of the club is late, was the one who lectured the group about close-up photography. After the lecture, the group again continued with the shoot. Afterwhich, there would be a critic of their shots. Hope they learned from what I imparted...
Have to go back early (as
Manong is needed by my brother for some errand). Since the president of the club has finally arrived, left him to supervise the rest of the activities.
I was dropped-off at
Glorietta 4, had lunch at
Burger King and watched my weekly movie:
Night at the Museum 2.
An action, comedy movie starring Ben Stiller, it is a sequel to
Night at the Museum. Following the same formula, it has more laughs. But of course, offers a lesson about what happiness is...
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Italliani's.
Bali TOSH
Finally, met with a friend for lunch. It is hard to set our lunch date because she is often busy and I have to go to our Makati office just to meet. We don't have to say specifically where, we just knew it would be at
The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH). LOL
We also exchanged
pasalubong. Her from Indonesia, me from Baguio. Hehehehe!
Repairs
Everything seems to be giving up.. I wonder why. Hope that "it comes in threes" will not come true.
First is my Canon 350D. Decided to buy a battery grip for my first dSLR. Received the battery grip (plus the Canon 1.4x Extender) yesterday. As soon as I got home, tried it. My baby won't power-up!!!!
Second is my dual SIM mobile phone, MyPhone B23. It won't charge!!!
Since am not at ease until my Canon 350D is looked into, went to the Canon Service Center first thing. Have to leave my unit (camera plus battery grip). They said it would take seven (7) working days, more or less.
After office, dropped by the store where I bought my MyPhone. Left the unit so that they can bring it to MyPhone's service center. Says, it may take two to three weeks, give or take....
Hayyy....
Flores de Mayo sa MOA 2009
It was agreed to join the photo contest related to the Flores de Mayo sa MOA 2009. Thus, Sam and I were already at
SM MOA's music hall around 2PM to register. Supposedly, the procession would start by 4PM.
We waited at Seattle's Best. Then, we received that an SMS from
Tilak, informing us that he has arrived. Huh?! And I thought he would be arriving tomorrow. Guess, he got mixed up with the dates.
Sam and I hoped that the procession would start while the sun is setting, more because of the lighting. I guess the organizers have other ideas. They wanted the procession to start when it is already dark so that the (artificial) lights will be turned on. Good thing, brought my flash--my new dSLR do not have a built-in flash. The problem with this, all the photographers who are there for the competition would somehow have similar shots of the
sagalas.. Oh, well...
A Close Look Of La Mesa Ecopark And MMLDC
Because of the planned joint exhibit for
Tilak's A Closer Look At Nature class, it was agreed by our batch to do a shoot to have additional images that may be included in the exhibit.
We would be going at
La Mesa Ecopark in the morning,
MMLDC in the afternoon, and wait for the sunset at
Eagle's Nest.
Meeting place is at Jollibee-Philcoa around 7AM. But first, Sam and I met at the gas station in Boni around 6:30AM.
We had our lunch at MMLDC's Areva Pavilion. We stayed sometime there before proceeding to their Aviary and their Rainforest.
Around 5PM, we are on our way to our last stop, Eagle's Nest, to wait for the sunset.
Angels & Demons
Attended a training today. After, decided to watch a movie. For one, wasn't able to do it last week, and I don't think I would be able to do it this weekend. Thus, watched
Angels & Demons.
Was able to read both Dan Brown books, "Angels & Demons" and "The Da Vinci Code". I like "Angels & Demons" better. For the movie version, I also liked the "Angels & Demons" version. But the movie doesn't beat the book. Just want to stress, these are fiction--an IMAGINATIVE form of narrative. The problem is, some people consider details presented in the book as fact. In the movie, they haven't presented the relationship of the Pope and the Camerlengo as in the novel, else, it would add to the controversy about the movie.
Reunion
A friend from General Santos is in Manila to attend several photography workshops. Thus, have to have a "reunion". Since
Tilak is still in the U.S., arranged our reunion to be at
Gerry's Grill in
Glorietta 5.
There were lots of stories, jokes, etc. exchanged. Have to part ways around 11PM because we still have work the following day.
Oops.. our friend who was supposed to take another workshop this Saturday would skip the workshop to join us in our shoot at La Mesa Ecopark, MMLDC and Eagle's Nest. c",)
Framed Shots Outing: Potipot Island, Day 2
Woke up early so that I would be the first to pack-up and have no problem later. Walked along the beach to take some more images, hanged-out with those who are awake and had breakfast.
While some decided to go the lake which was "discovered" by one of us for more photo shoot, decided to stay in the room and enjoy the air-conditioning. Hehehe!
The ride home was uneventful, with some stops for photo shoot, eating, and to refresh ourselves.
Framed Shots Outing: Potipot Island, Day 1
Meeting time is between 11PM to 12 midnight of Friday. Was already there around 11:30M; but, Sam was there ahead of me. We were waiting for Agnes to show up. No show.
The bus arrived around 1AM and we're on our way. Arrived at
Dawal Beach Resort in Candelaria, Zambales around 6AM, had breakfast and queued up to the
banca that would ferry us to
Potipot Island.
Aside from having fun at the beach and water, we also have an OTS. The theme of the OTS is "sense of the place". Since I won't be swimming, decided to make a "career" of my shoot. Hehehe!
It was HOT!!! When we tried going around the island, there was a point when I felt like fainting. Saw white all-over. Good thing, I did not faint.
We were also assigned a group where we should take a group picture. Since we lack one member in our picture, we are disqualified! The officers did remind him that he should not leave until the group picture is completed so that the group he belongs to will not be disqualified. "They" just have to go back to the resort earlier...
Around 5PM, the group decided to go back to the resort. Since it is getting windy, the water would be choppy. Won't dare to have our gear wet. Belong to the first batch who went to the resort. Unfortunately can't get to the room assigned to me. Thus, decided to hang-out with Sam. Since I really needed to freshen up, decided to use the guys' room to take a shower while they hang outside the room. Learned later that my other roommate was not able to get in, too, and she hanged-out with the rest of the girls.
After dinner, the group convened at the videoke.
I thought there would be no issue about the accommodation. There is. Good thing, it was ironed out. Checked my e-mail even it is very slooooowwwww before going to sleep.
Framed Shots: Environmental Portrait
Today's the monthly meeting of our camera club. The theme would be "Environmental Portrait". We would also be submitting our images of the
Aliwan Festival for the OTS (on-the-spot).
Since we finished early, managed to squeeze in my movie watching. Hehehe! Watched
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, a romantic/comedy movie.
A photographer who has intimacy issues managed to (almost) break the wedding of his brother. Following the concept of Scrooge, ghosts of girlfriends from the past, present and future visited him to mend his ways.
Sports Festival
Woke really early as I have to be at the
Cuneta Astrodome for our company's sports festival kick-off--have to be there by 6AM. Around 5AM, checked if what the customer service agent of
Maynilad (1626 hotline) said is true. The water flowed from the faucet... Yes!!!
The hosts for the event is Bayani Agbayani and Wilma Doesnt. Special guests are Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual.
After the kick-off, waited for the first game to start to take some more images.
Then, went to
Glorietta to attend the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
a Venetto Italianni Ristorante.
Back to Corregidor
As promised my housemates I would be bringing them to
Corregidor, and today's the day--the same day as the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight. I noticed that everytime that there is a Manny Pacquiao fight and I am out of the house, he always wins. Since I'll be in Corregidor, Manny would surely win! LOL
Woke up early since have to be in the ferry terminal by 7AM. Since we are ahead of schedule, we managed to eat breakfast at
Jollibee.
Since I've already been to the place, I noticed that I got better pictures as against the ones I took when I went to Corregidor the first time.
We had our buffet lunch at
Corregidor Inn. This is where we learned that Manny Pacquiao wins on the second round via TKO of Ricky Hatton. See? c",)
The previous time, there was a place in Corregidor where I had a bad feeling about the place; thus, did not enter the same room again. But, this time, in one of the places we visited where the biggest cannon was, was able to get images of orbs. They said, orbs are spirits. If you notice the upper left orb (near the man's blue cap), there is an image of a Japanese soldier as if he is shouting. If you look closely, there is not just two orbs but a lot!
Upon docking in Manila, we went to
SM Mall of Asia to eat
halo-halo and
pancit luglug at
Razon's for
merienda.
Snap and Fix
(Writing this infront of Cinderella where I can get a signal from Airborne Access. Unfortunately, the login page won't show; thus, have to use my PLDT WeROAM USB modem.) Woke up with no water. Thus, have to make do with water from the
poso. Forgot that the water heater is for tap water. Obviously, broke it after seeing some sparks... Tsk! Tsk!
Decided to go first to the
SM Mall of Asia to have my
Medicine Buddha Dzi Bead bracelet fixed. Then, returned to
Ayala Center, my usual weekend haunt. Would skip movie watching this week.
Went to
The Landmark to buy the item I broke. Geez!
(Writing this portion at home.)Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
a Venetto Italianni Restorante.
